Major commercial development transforms derelict Belfast site

An £805,000 office and commercial development which has transformed the landscape of a neglected part of east Belfast has been officially opened by the Department for Social Development and the Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland.

The Lagan Village Tower project on the Ravenhill Road, was led by Landmark East, a non-profit making development company set up by the Greater East Belfast Partnership to identify derelict sites and restore them to positive use with all the income generated being reinvested in future development.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony on Thursday January 10, John Hunter, the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Social Development Hunter said: “The Lagan Village Tower project is a prime example of what my Department seeks to achieve through its urban regeneration strategy. Landmark East has worked in partnership with the local community to transform a derelict site into a viable and sustainable commercial development.

“Local regeneration projects such as this stimulate private and public sector investment leading to increased economic development and employment. This improves the surrounding social and physical environment and ultimately benefits the local community as a whole.”

International Fund for Ireland Chairman William T. McCarter said: “We are delighted to have been able to support Landmark East in this major regeneration project which will be an asset for the whole of the lower Ravenhill area and beyond. It has removed dereliction from a main arterial route and will help stimulate further economic investment thereby improving the quality of life for local people.”

Lagan Village Tower is a new-build development at the junction of Ravenhill Road and My Lady’s Road. It was co-funded by the European Union Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation through the Belfast Regeneration Office, £615,000, and the International Fund for Ireland, £190,000.

Its first tenant is the Orchardville Society, a voluntary organisation and registered charity providing a range of educational, vocational and employment services to people with learning difficulties in the South and East Belfast areas. The society is using Lagan Village Tower as its new headquarters. (AMcE)